On February 18, the Catholic Church celebrates Ash Wednesday, a significant event marking the start of Lent, which leads up to Easter. In Petrolina, located in the Sertão region of Pernambuco, local parishes are hosting masses for the community to participate in this important religious ceremony. The masses will take place at various times across different churches to accommodate as many parishioners as possible.

The mass schedule for Ash Wednesday in Petrolina includes services at the Matriz Nossa Senhora Rainha dos Anjos at 7:30 AM, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and the Chapel of St. Joseph at 7:30 PM. Additionally, the rural district of Rajada will also hold special masses at the parish of Nossa Senhora das Dores, which will occur at 9:00 AM and 7:30 PM at the parish's main church. This scheduling reflects the church's effort to engage the community in the observance of Lent.

Ash Wednesday is observed every year on the Wednesday following Carnival, differing year to year, as it symbolizes the beginning of a 40-day preparation leading up to Easter Sunday. The ashes used in the ceremonies are derived from the burning of blessed palm branches from the previous year's Palm Sunday, making the observance a deeply symbolic and traditional aspect of Christian practice. As such, this day is marked by a sense of reflection and the start of a season of fasting and penance.